China serious about overseas ‘Mission’

Filmgoers take 'Ghost Protocol' to top of overseas chart

Thanks to a sparkling two-day perf in China, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” retained the top overseas spot over the Jan. 27-29 weekend, grossing $25.2 million and sending the fourth installment to a series-best $571.9 million worldwide cume.

In seven weeks of release, “Ghost Protocol” posted its fourth frame at No. 1 internationally, with an offshore take of $369.4 million.

“Ghost Protocol” surpassed the franchise’s previous global best, “Mission: Impossible II,” which raked in $546 million worldwide in 2000. On a local level, the fourth “Mission” scored the series’ best opening at the Chinese B.O., with a boffo $12.7 million from Jan. 28-29, outgrossing by more than five times the local bow of “Mission: Impossible III.”

In Norway, “Ghost Protocol” also outperformed its immediate predecessor — by approximately 88% — bowing to $1.2 million, while Italian auds contributed a debut on par with “Mission 3,” at $3.1 million.

The success of “Ghost Protocol” — five years after “Mission 3″ posted nearly $400 million worldwide — has helped rejuvenate the franchise for Par.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ “Sherlock Holmes” sequel, “A Game of Shadows,” posted a weekend take of $18.1 million, boosting its international tally to $294 million. Globally, the film has cumed $476.2 million as of Jan. 29 (compared with the first pic’s lifetime worldwide cume of $500 million).

“Game of Shadows” launched in France with $7 million including previews, which beat the original’s Gaul debut by 33%.

Top markets for “Shadows” include the U.K., having grossed nearly $40 million, followed by Russia, Italy and China, all of which have contributed north of $20 million. “Shadows” will launch in Japan on March 12.